Category Archives: Capricorn

Your Ascendant Zodiapedia: ‘Building a Life’ Capricorn

02 Wednesday May 2018

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, Capricorn, The Ascendant

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“A Roman Studio’ By Lawrence Alma-Tadema 1873 {{PD}}

Capricorn rising may come across as all business, totally serious, and really, no fun—but that wouldn’t be right for us to see him that way at all. Though the agile goat meets new situations this way, he can quickly adapt his attitude to whatever will get things done—and if that means he must socialize, clown around, risk it all, or declare his love from the rooftops, he will do just that. ‘Practical’ is the word for this rising sign, however that might be defined in any particular situation. To see this Earth placement as lacking in flexibility would be wrong—and yet, if given a choice, Cap at the very least wants things contained, restrained, and with any luck, by the book. He can’t help it, really: Capricorn rising is about two things, achievement and security as the way to meet the world, and he does everything with that in mind.

Cappy’s childhood environment in some way gave her the message that ‘serious’ is the only attitude to have. It may have been that children were expected to be miniature adults, or it may have been a case where the irresponsibility of the caretakers put the burden of filling basic needs, of providing any security at all, on Capricorn. This means that to the observer the Capricorn rising child may appear to be usurping adults’ authority or prerogatives, or that she doesn’t know the meaning of ‘play’ or ‘fun’—but of all the signs, Cap rising may be the one most acutely aware of how her demeanor seems odd to onlookers—just know that there’s always a reason the goat has adopted such a severe outlook, and respect her need to take the attitude she does—it may be the only thing that lets her sleep at night.

From the inside looking out, the Capricorn rising individual may see the world as a chaotic or unreliable or even unforgiving place. Recall that the rising sign is a response to the environment where we first meet the world; in Cap’s case, the suggestion is she is responsible to create boundaries, rules, barriers, and a sense of order—not the thing to encourage a young one’s positive outlook or the spontaneity and lightheartedness of childhood. The implication is that Cappy had to make up for someone else’s deficiency or lack of restraint, and though this may be true sometimes, it can also be that the individual with this rising sign is a hypersensitive Being who needed to erect overly strong protections against the outside sensations of the material world—or that she is someone who feels her own wildness so close to the surface that exceptional repression and restraint are in order, to keep from falling into her own personal chaos.

As an adult, Cappy rising may reassure others by her mere presence, and at any age she may be the one others automatically turn to in a crisis or for advice. It always feels to others like this Ascendant will know what to do, or how to stop whatever needs stopping, and Capricorn is happy to serve this function. As long as she is appreciated for her habit of meeting challenges with concerted effort, laboring consistently to achieve and build, laying not just the foundations for the building blocks of life but also the walls and roof, the wallpaper and paint, and paying the taxes. Capricorn needs to be appreciated, like anybody else, and on the Ascendant she wants others to see the extent of her control, over herself and the world. Look beneath the serious demeanor to see what Cappy is really trying to offer: security, stability, to remove worry from everyone’s equation.

The Capricorn Ascendant wants, always, to be productive; this can easily slip into repression of others, or suppression of the Self, if she doesn’t feel she or others are focused, making progress, getting ahead. This can give this Ascendant a mercenary quality, or a no-nonsense dictatorial one, until others understand that above all Cappy wants to be of use–anything less, and she’s disappointed in herself, and that may even morph into fearfulness, should she begin to think things will never change.

Capricorn rising prides herself on her dependability, but will only flourish once she accepts the gentle nurturing offered by opposing sign Cancer. In keeping things strictly controlled and grounded Cappy may not value nourishment, physical, psychic, emotional, and spiritual, as much as she needs to in order to foster a balanced approach to achievement, discipline, and to conquer her fear (for what combats Saturnian fears better than loving care?); once she does, she becomes a formidable human Being keyed to thoughtful, lasting accomplishment.

Read my work here, and enjoy the rest of your week, which you can read about here!

Saturn Enters Capricorn 2017

13 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by in astrology, Capricorn, Pluto, Saturn

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Hans Thoma {{PD}}

19 December 2017 8:49 PM Pacific time, though that precise measure isn’t really necessary–Saturn moves slowly enough that its changes can sneak up on us–but when it changes signs, we do feel it, as the world seems to change ‘flavor’ around us. Saturn is the planet of reality, of the material world and all the accomplishments and barriers, both literal and figurative, within it. That’s why we are likely aware of the sign change right away; even if we aren’t conscious of astrology, we may be conscious of a shift, something like when you turn a kaleidoscope just a quarter turn. Things are rearranged, the light behind them may seem different, but they’re (usually) not unrecognizable (that’s more likely when transiting Saturn contacts transiting Uranus or Pluto, giving the kaleidoscope a full turn or two, or even shaking it upside down, and that shake-up may happen personally when transiting Uranus or Pluto contacts natal Saturn).

What we see as Saturn enters Capricorn is a perfect blend of effort and time, with the new sign shaping these into real-world results. We see what we have created over a long period, one that required Self-discipline and a persistent application of energy–or, we see circumstances resulting from a lack of application and discipline. We reap results of sustained and serious endeavors, or the long-term neglect of what we should’ve attended to; we see how our use of time affects us. If we thought things would take care of themselves, this may be the point when we find out they have not.

Juno admires hubby Saturn’s new leggings. By Veronese {{PD}}

We can’t really talk about Saturn entering Capricorn without discussing Pluto’s journey through the sign. Pluto plowed through and continues to disrupt, destroying, wreaking havoc to what was secure, solid, established, bringing the possibilities of freedom from old constraints, transformation of institutions and barriers, and also ushering in a long-term falling away of obstructions to our perception of Truth and Reality. That doesn’t mean everyone sees the real world for what it is; it’s still an individual choice where we must be willing to see things as they are—otherwise we can observe certain contingents who seem to be so completely oblivious to reality and ‘the facts’ that it defies logic. This is the Pluto effect: a stripping away of barriers that either shows you the real deal (if you accept that your world is changing) or that prompts a complete turning away from real world circumstances (if you don’t), substituting a Plutonian-centered non reality that promises nothing is changing, and that in fact you will be restored to some previous (unrealistic) level of all-powerful beingness. And now Saturn enters the sign, carrying a bucket of high-grade cement, ready to apply agents of constraint and form to all that Pluto has disrupted.

What we will see is this: that Saturn entering its own sign may result in Saturn cutting off, ending, or constraining transformations created by Pluto in Capricorn, whether those transformations are complete or not. Saturn may require those changes slow down, or it may insist on them taking solid form, or creating a new system within which to work, or it could deny their potential all together–but in any case it begins to solidify what had previously been fluid–or I should say, molten, as Pluto melted down without regard for status or standing. We add time to change, and we get a New Reality–and at the entry of Saturn into Capricorn, we get a glimpse of where things are headed, a peek at what’s beginning to emerge from the shadows.

As Saturn enters Capricorn we look at what aspects it makes immediately; this offers some idea of the initial impact of the sign change. Saturn will semi-square the South Node and Jupiter, which means Saturn is caught at the midpoint of the two; our first view of Saturn’s effects may involve the past and the public sector, or our beliefs and how they mesh with ‘the facts’, or we could see how work or effort made previously may offer opportunity in the present. Saturn will also sesquiquadrate the North Node (of course–in aspect to one Node is to be in aspect to both) and the Sun catches up to conjoin Saturn quickly, suggesting we see the situation when it is still new, raw, fresh–and we see the difficulties of where it will lead. And, the transiting Moon is also in Capricorn when Saturn enters, passing over Pluto. This suggests that what we see may give us a scare, may make us want to ‘reform’ from what we see or intuit, or may show us how we really feel about changes that have happened–and so what we are likely to want to establish, as Saturn makes his way through the sign.

Read more of my work here–and have a great rest-of-the-year!

Focus on: Merc Meets Pluto 29 January 2016

28 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by in astrology, Capricorn, Cardinal Activity, current events in the sky, Mercury, Pluto

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We may wonder in our own world which side of the power struggle is Jacob, which one the Angel? 'Jacob Wrestling with the Angel' by Léon Bonnat 1875 {{PD}}

We may wonder in our own world which side of the power struggle is Jacob, which one the Angel? ‘Jacob Wrestling with the Angel’ by Léon Bonnat 1875 {{PD}}

Merc and Pluto both show up for this meeting in button down shirts, clutching their wallets and pearls, equipment for weighing and measuring carefully calibrated, posture rigid and eyes glazed over with ‘the rules’–they’re ready for business. Mercury has finally given up flight and is headed back to where he left off; he’s ready to talk, to negotiate, to inform, as long as things stay on topic, and he’s aware of the status quo, conscious of the need to deliver the establishment’s message. Pluto is out to change the system, destroy boundaries, and he’s been in this territory for a while; once he’s altered or transformed what is, a strange thing happens: the destructive energy is dissipated, and expressions of power come forward, power that enforces a new set of rules, boundaries, and installs a new authority in place of the old. The question is, where do these two meet in expression? Capricorn gives them both a tone, a background, a set of attitudes to play with, but each carries its own essence, bringing about a kind of chemical reaction that, despite their meeting in the same sign, may bring confrontation.

The root of the conflict may be this: Mercury is messenger of those who hold the reins right now; Pluto, half way through the sign, has already thrown the acid, the Molotov cocktail, and is in the process of taking the ruin of what was and constructing something new from it. That, my friends, is a fundamental conflict of interest. These two come together, and one, the quicker-moving one, is interested in making the argument for keeping things as they are; the other has been at work for quite a while, and is in the midst of creating a kind of re-birth in our ideas of authority, boundaries, and restraint. And both claim practicality, and the health of both personal life structures and those of governments, countries, and large systems, are best served by their methods.

What can we expect? The voice of current power-holders may carefully craft their message, with restrictions on who knows what, meant to keep things static, for safety, for the well-being of all, and of course, to retain power; the agents of change may claim a moral superiority in their very existence, a ‘change for change’s sake’ stance that does not acknowledge the new authorities rising from the ashes, intent on replacing the old, are just as distorted in priorities and viewpoint as the previous holders of power were. In other words, change does not equalize anything, nor does becoming part of the current power structure, because both are intent on grabbing power and keeping it–and when that is the goal, no message will assuage those without influence, and no revolution will make the situation more equitable.

So, what we may witness today are communications that have power acquisition and retention at their core–and this may be played a thousand ways, with harsh or destructive words, transformational ideas, the resurrection of concepts we thought were surely gone, and the obliteration of the old rules–but all of it concealing, one way or another, the power struggle currently at the heart of the Universe. In your own life an awareness that power is behind literally everything we deal with at this time will help reveal the layers of meaning. We need to understand that there’s an intensity to this (thanks, Pluto!) that goes beyond the normal level of power-seeking we see everyday, giving even the simplest exchanges a life-or-death tone that may seem over the top–but if we purge our minds of clutter and propaganda, we see the Truth of what’s being negotiated beneath.

Just a Little Lunar Essence: the New Moon in Capricorn 21 December 2014

20 Saturday Dec 2014

Posted by in astrology, Capricorn, current events in the sky, ECLIPSE magazine, Lunar Aspects, New Moon

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Luis Ricardo Falero - Unfinished Song 1882 {{PD}}

Luis Ricardo Falero – Unfinished Song 1882 {{PD}}

Just a little from my New Moon assessment, part of the ECLIPSE subscription package; to see it all, please subscribe!

New Moon on 21 December at 5:36 PM Pacific time at 00 Capricorn 06: Self-Possession
Even with generous orbs we only get New Moon contact in two notable ways: a trine to Black Moon Lilith, and a sesquiquadrate to Juno, and it also squares the Aries Point, suggesting the importance of the NM in a way the aspects don’t reveal, such that what occurs may be life-altering. A NM is an inception, but what is born here? In Capricorn we’re talking about energies of a constructive nature, perhaps of containment or for forming boundaries. The Lilith aspect says this Moon could act like a funnel, bringing forward every ignored or hidden matter, forcing us to begin to deal with them. It could also birth a Lilithian rage, a need to condemn every injustice we’ve suffered. And it could bring us to a point of accepting our position as we find ourselves, and then giving us the cojones to walk away from whatever we find unacceptable, in terms of our dignity, our honor, or our Self-respect. This definitely impacts our empowerment situation, but in a very specific way: we are at a point of complete Self-possession, so that any clout we got from partnerships, status, or through others may be endangered because we won’t see ourselves as interdependent anymore. This can be good—we will never again allow anyone to mistreat us—or bad—we could throw out our babies (relationships, financial arrangements, jobs, reciprocal situations) with our insistently independent bathwater (I’ll bet those three words have never appeared together in that order in a sentence before).

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How to Make It Through the Holidays: Capricorn

20 Tuesday Dec 2011

Posted by in Capricorn

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Life with the stoic goat can be lonely at times Ochard pre-1870 {{PD-Art}}

No matter what you do or don’t celebrate, it’s the holiday season–there’s no way to avoid it. In the newsletter I shared a few tongue-in-cheek suggestions for how to survive this annual time of family, food, fights, fun, fruitcake, and all those other ‘f’ words, and I’ll be sharing a little advice for each sign, one at a time. Your Nemesis, listed at the end of the sign, suggests who might be out to sabotage or just give you a hard time, while your angel is the sign energy you can call on in others for assistance, and your personal elf or cherub is the sign energy that will cheer you up and work behind the scenes to make your holiday special. Watch for the rest of the signs during the coming week.

Capricorn  You are tired of people telling you that you take things too seriously; the ‘temporary’ nature of the holidays makes it even worse. You have a hard time getting into decorating, wrapping presents, and anything fun, simply because you’re hyper-aware of how you’ll just have to spend time cleaning up and then what will you have? A new blender (a second one, which you didn’t ask for, and which you must now clean and find a use for) and an over-flowing trash barrel. Are you a Scrooge? Yes, yes you are, a holiday one; though you’re very generous with those you love, and in the name of a good cause, when it comes to seeing the reason for holiday cheer, you’re clueless. You can suck the happy right out of the room with the way you keep careful track of every receipt and penny spent, object to making more than one kind of cookie, and want to hand people their gifts as soon as you buy them, in the bag they came in (minus the receipt!)To call you a ‘No Frills’ kind of person would be a gross understatement, and the label itself encapsulates exactly what’s wrong with you over the holidays. To your credit, you know others see the season differently than you do–but really, do they have to point it our every time you turn around? You may be telling yourself you’d be more inclined to celebrate if people weren’t always trying to force you to, but we both know that’d be a lie 😦 How to make your holiday happier? No use telling you to loosen up; people have been telling you that since you were two. Instead, I want you to schedule some fun. If there’s anything Capricorn understands it’s time allotments; and don’t just schedule fun, schedule some time to sleep, organize, and fuss with those receipts, and be strict with yourself (oh, Cappy like!)Don’t allow periods to overlap, and when you’ve scheduled twelve minutes for caroling, damnit, show up and throw yourself into it, tambourine and all! One thing Capricorn is crystal clear on is dedicating her- or himself to the task at hand. This approach will make you more popular, and you never know, you may discover that you like planning holiday cheer. Your Nemesis this holiday season: Sagittarius, Aquarius, or Cancer/ Your secret angel: Virgo/ Your personal elf or cherub: Taurus

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Another Installment of ‘What You’re Asking’

12 Monday Jan 2009

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, Capricorn, Jupiter, Mercury retrograde

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There were so many great topics this week, I’m going to be doing this in two parts, and keeping answers brief (at least for me!) First up:

Is it okay to travel when Mercury is retrograde?

Excellent question, the kind of thing we think about when we try to apply astrology to real life, and find that sometimes it gets in the way! Why would travel be prohibited? Chiefly because Mercury rules movement, transportation, and in retrograde hitches are common, so we have a smaller chance of things running smoothly at this time, in a mechanical sense, and the electrical systems of vehicles can be more testy than usual, as well. But I think the real difficulty lies in the planning and communication aspect of things; inevitably, we think we’ve planned carefully for our moving day, only to find our route is blocked by a three-hour parade, or we agree to be at that place by the thing where we went that time, for lunch, and we think that means 12, and our meetee thinks lunch starts at 1. Where mechanical hold-ups can be addressed, and even anticipated, with a little care, it’s the thought processes behind our travel that may suffer, and upon which we can have least conscious effect.

Because of this, I wouldn’t recommend travel, particularly the kind where we’re at the mercy of a form of transport where we are not in charge (such as an airline or train) or where we’re at the whim of someone who may speed along well ahead of schedule and miss us (like a bus). Of course, there’s no reason to stop living life, just be prepared to deal with glitches and difficulties as they arise; typically the biggest problem is delay, and in this case, a little flexibility in expectations goes a long way. Best methodology for coping during travel on Mercury retrograde: use your intuition (Venus) in the moment; where the mind is muddled on the retrograde, the intuition is right on, and can, if accessed, make the trip an easy, and sense-filled, delight.

For more on activity during Mercury retrograde, see this https://juliedemboski.wordpress.com/re-examining-mercury-retrograde/

What is the combust degree for each planet?

Since we measure combustion from only one source, the Sun, all planets and bodies are considered combust within the same frame: 17 minutes from exactitude to 8.5 degrees, and other bodies cannot be combust each other–if we say “Mars is combust Venus,” well, we’re speaking gibberish! Closer than 17 minutes to the Sun is cazimi, a condition of fusion that is believed to greatly strengthen a planet. For more on the whys of all this, see https://juliedemboski.wordpress.com/mercury-combust-and-retrograde/

What are the likely health effects of Jupiter in Aquarius?

This question is highly individual, depending on how Jupiter and Aquarius are hooked into the health picture of the natal chart. We can venture a few guesses, though, mainly on what may be more susceptible at this time; for example, Jupiter rules the liver, and Aquarius is a fixed Air sign–under the ‘right’ circumstances in an individual’s chart, this could signal a hepatic embolism, or CNS damage (Aquarius) that comes from or causes liver damage; we might even see the pain of the intellectual situation spurring some toward drink; or when we look for society-wide effects, with Aquarius ruling the higher functions, and Jupiter symbolizing expansion and the social order, advances in autism studies and therapies are possible, or perhaps we’ll see a resurgence of interest in ‘remote viewing’ experimentation, or in good old mental health programs, and we may see fads in the direction of outdoor recreation, perhaps involving Jupiter’s big animals, such as equestrian events, or for international events, such as chess–or, Mathlympics, anyone?

How do I seduce a Venus in Capricorn?

Hey, is this the same person who asks about Capricorn every week? Haven’t you given up on Cappy yet? Or are Capricorns the latest irresistible sign, with their frowns and rules and big bulging wallets. Well, no matter, let’s see what we can do here. Venus tells us what appeals to someone; it explains their tastes in a sensual way, what’s pleasing, what’s appealing. We take a chance when we look only at Venus’ sign, though, as contacts can tell a much more effective story: Venus in Scorpio says they want a little mystery, but if that Venus is connected to Pluto, we might see a preference for dangerous sex (sex with strangers, sex on cliffs, sex in public), a taste for S/ M, or just someone who associates (sadly) pain, punishment, or destruction with love (and not even with sex, at that). So, Venus in Capricorn suggests the appeal of security, of rules and ‘safe’ words (in bed, or at a party, like when you say in the presence of your partner, “I love cupcakes!” when you desperately want to leave) and Cap finds the beauty in order and constraint–you can flirt with Venus in Capricorn by simply lifting an eyebrow, crisply serving a summons, or folding his or her laundry, really really neatly.

Seduction, however, is another matter; since seduction is about persuading, in essence gaining control of another, or at least drawing them to do your bidding, it is the antithesis of what Venus in Capricorn is about: he or she is in control of the sensual, of love and sex, thank you very much, and the goaty Venus will resist (and resent) mightily any attempt to connect that smacks of you having more control than they. So, the seduction scenario of Venus in Cap isn’t promising, because if they even get an inkling that they’re being seduced, they will bound up the rocky ledge of indifference and cold shoulder you until you go away. So, I’m sending all who are interested over to the experts at Sasstrology http://sasstrology.com/2008/09/astrology-of-kink-complex-capricorn.html  Or, for relationship analysis that gets into the whys and wherefores of attraction http://dogandsunflower.wordpress.com  Happy goat herding!

More to come!

What You’re Asking Vol. 2

17 Wednesday Dec 2008

Posted by in 1st House, 5th House, astrology, Capricorn, Jupiter, Mercury combust

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There were some excellent topics searched for this week; let’s get started!

Can I get a job if Jupiter is transiting my 1st?

My first thought here was, why wouldn’t you? Jupiter would, barring other circumstances, bring opportunity to you as you contact the world. The main, job-destroying possibility with the planet of expansion and abundance moving through your 1st might be seated in the personality; since 1st House traits will be exaggerated as Jupiter moves through, seeking a job where your personality might need to be downplayed may put you at a disadvantage. For instance, if you’re being considered to model clothing, the designer wouldn’t want a model who takes attention from his or her designs. This isn’t about you doing anything in particular; it’s about others’ perceptions of the persona you use to meet life. And, if you suffer from any unfortunate personality ‘tics’ these could be overblown, and be off-putting to an employer–a normally harmless tendency to chatter when nervous, for example, could become voluminous and signal (incorrectly) to a prospective employer that you lack Self-control. So, the best ‘defense’ for a Jupiter 1st House transit when seeking employment is a keen awareness of how you come across–in which case some brutally honest friends and a video camera might be your biggest help in interview preparation.

What is the effect of Mercury combust the Sun on career?

This is a great question, and also impossible to answer with any specificity without an individual chart, so we’ll look at what we can surmise generally. Combustion is when a planet is between 17 minutes and 8.5 degrees from conjunction with the Sun (less than 17 minutes is another condition, cazimi, and a condition extending out from 8.5 degrees is known as Under the Sunbeams). It’s not unusual for Mercury to sit combust the Sun, considering how closely they travel together. Opinions on span of influence and on effects vary widely; in my view, combustion suggests that the Soul (Sun) is ‘in charge’ of the communication function (Mercury), rather than, as in a typical conjunction, which functions as a fusing of the two energies. Because of this, much of the effect will depend on the sign in which this occurs. I’ve seen combustion result, in the case of Mercury, in a scenario where the essence and manner of the Sun seems to override the purity of the communication function. For instance, if the combustion occurs in Libra, the individual may exhibit an emphasis in communication on relationships and relating that takes a highly subjective view, where the person is constantly measuring her or his communications and the impact they have on others–it’s as if Mercury can’t  function in any objective way–the Sun’s bias is always there, coloring everything said, done, thought, and processed. This can, on the other hand, make for Soul’s ability to communicate itself that is eloquent and very true to the individual’s intent–so in some careers this can be a great asset. We can’t forget that the Houses ruled by Mercury and the Sun will play a big role in delineating where this expression (or its lack) will show up.

How do Capricorns show they’re into you?

Wait a minute–weren’t you here last week? (See previous post, ‘What You’re Asking’). Capricorn, Capricorn, Capricorn–you’re the star right now, as the Sun prepares to enter your territory, and this seeker wants to know how you show your interest. I’ve got one word to describe a Capricorn who wants to get to know you: serious! You’ll likely get a lighter, initial approach (Capricorn will play it cool, if Venus sits in Aquarius, or act the bon vivant if Venus is in Sagittarius) but she or he will quickly get down to brass tacks. The primitive types will try to push you to commit immediately, and may even try clubbing you and dragging you into their rocky hideaway; run from this one at all costs. The healthy ones are cautious. Because they take even the most casual commitment so seriously, Capricorn may eye you for awhile before approaching–but when Cappy makes his or her mind up, there’s no mistaking their goal of making things solid, establishing rules and boundaries, and building a little love nest together. You’ll notice Capricorn when they’re finally ready for a relationship; Cappy will be the one standing ramrod straight at the back of the room, grim-faced and determined, clutching a bouquet of posies, hoping to win your attention, and your love.

Bonus hint on keeping Capricorn’s love: never ever ever embarrass them.

In what way is fame connected to the 5th House?

Signatures within the chart indicating fame are as individual as the persons who attain this, and are so intimately connected to the reasons they’ve attained that fame that it’s impossible to suggest ‘fame indicators’ ahead of time. My personal feeling is that people tend to make much too much of the 5th House in terms of potentials for creativity, which so many of us see as vital to positive attainments of fame; the 5th is below the horizon, a personal area, and in that way is indicative of seed, of potential, to some extent–but seed needs water, sunlight, the right conditions, to avoid attack from pests and disease–and all these ‘growing’ conditions are found elsewhere, and tell the real story of 5th House potentials. As well, creativity is found in many other areas of the chart, so I see the 5th as a repository of mostly unconscious creativity, that ‘leaks’ out via the connections to other points; after all, creativity is a very vague concept–without shape, form, impetus it’s really just a notion, a wisp of idea with no innate push to become concrete–other energies drive that. Think of 5th House potentials as you do the potential to have children, another 5th House subject, and you’ll see how much energy and intent are needed to turn creative potential into creative accomplishment.

That said, we can suggest a few things that might fall into the fame mix: prominent or angular Pluto is common, perhaps because these people are in some way driven, and certainly they in some way interact with or attract power and power positions; Saturn in some relative strength in the chart–this suggests a modicum of Self-discipline (in instances of fame achieved, rather than stumbled into accidentally), also that the world may take one seriously, and that one can make some impact on reality; the chart ruler (ruler of the Ascendant) prominent in the chart, suggesting a force of personality; the Midheaven and/ or Sun usually vital to the aspects that show what the individual is famous for; and some significant Nodal involvement with the other energies. Just some suggestions, of course–it’s up to the individual, not the chart, to take what we’re endowed with and shape it into something worthy of the regard of the rest of humanity.

New Feature! ‘What You’re Asking’

09 Tuesday Dec 2008

Posted by in Capricorn, Elements, Eros, Grand Trine, Nodal Axis, relationship astrology

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I’ve decided that one of the best ways to serve readers may be to look through what they’ve been searching and try to address the topics that brought them here in the first place. To that end I’m creating a new feature, ‘What You’re Asking,’ that will on a weekly basis explore some of this material, and some of the topic queries, in a question and answer format. First up:

Can a Grand Trine be made up of different elements?

Yes, and when it is they become of prime importance in delineating the meaning of the aspect. We have a good example in the chart of Osama bin Laden (granted, even the date of 10 March 1957 Riddah, Saudi Arabia is in question, but if this is right . . . .) He shows a Grand Trine of the Moon at 00 Cancer trine Vesta at 26 Aquarius trine Neptune at 2 Scorpio–and we might guess that this config might have played out solely within his personal life if all positions had been in Water, but with the addition of Vesta in the intellectually-oriented Air placement of Aquarius we see the elevation of pure, basic emotion (Moon in Cancer) and emotion-keyed ideals/fantasies/delusions, possibly with a destructive bent (Neptune in Scorpio) to the level of philosophy and mental contemplation; and from there, it’s not hard to imagine the ‘action transit’ (a Solar Arc of Mars, perhaps?) that could’ve set bin Laden’s viewpoint into real-world motion.

What are the signs that a Capricorn male has lost interest?

Sometimes things just don't work out

Sometimes things just don't work out

Just knowing a Sun sign is not much to go on, but presuming that he is ‘typical’ (whatever that means!) then we can make a few guesses. Since Capricorn may be prone to expressing love through (in positive manifestation) the desire to ‘build’ something, tangible or intangible, for the object of his interest, then we may see him quietly (for the goat can be a stealthy creature) withdraw his efforts or support to very practical, day-to-day kinds of nurture. This is the kind of guy who offers to make your dream of a backyard retaining wall or cedar lined closet a reality, or he organizes on-line bill pay for you, or drives you to work every day–and then one day he is not working on the project, or administering the billing account, or you are curtly informed that he won’t be able to drive you–and there’s no mention of future availability. With a less healthy Cappy, this may show as an end to trying to make you conform to certain standards, no more dictation of your agenda or priorities, and no more judgment, ‘rules,’ or suppression–and it may take a minute, but soon you’ll feel the blessed relief of having his cloven hoof removed from your back!

What are the common mother/child connections in astrology? madonna-and-child

Though this can be a highly varied subject, with indicators keyed to the involved individuals, there are a few fairly consistent guidelines to look for. Almost without exception, I’ve seen contact in the form of conjunction between a personal placement of the child (very often the Moon) and one of the mother’s ‘public’ angles, typically the Midheaven or Ascendant–makes sense, as the birth of a child easily changes the way one presents oneself (ASC) and/ or the public image (MC). Contact between the Jupiter of one with a personal placement of the other (often Sun–identity–or Moon–mothering or role as mother) is common, with Jupiter in this instance representing the social role or place in society. Transits or Solar Arcs of Pluto to the mother’s chart can often signify pregnancy, and so the child will have a Pluto in relative proximity or close aspect to something important in the mother’s chart.

And we’ll wrap it up with aspect analysis: Eros conjunct Node  That gives us two possibilities: South and North. Eros conjunct the South Node marries the desire nature to the past–so what we find erotic may have been formed very early or even (if we believe this) in another life. With the North Node, this suggests that the desire nature may be a driving force behind our destined direction, and thus our life choices. If we’re talking about cross-chart contact, the stronger connector is by far one party’s Eros to the other party’s South Node–and this may be whirly-swirly with conflicting ideas and motivators; with Eros in one chart conjunct North Node in another, this could bring the Eros person into the picture as he or she looks to further the other’s life course, so overall this contact may feel a little user-y, with the Eros person being the ‘giver’ and the Node person the one receiving all the benefit (even as the Eros person desires to help).

Hope you’ve enjoyed this first installment of ‘What You’re Asking.’ See more about Eros in relationship in my book, THE ASTROLOGY OF INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP.

The Picture of Change

29 Wednesday Oct 2008

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, Capricorn, Pluto

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I don’t want to make too much of the moment Pluto enters Capricorn to stay (early afternoon Pacific time November 26th); it’s a background influence, and a backdrop to all the other energies, which are faster moving, which dance into and out of aspect with the heavy hitter, but I do want to take a look at the sky as it will be on the day. The surrounding situation during a moment of change can be illuminating; it’s almost as if circumstances impress themselves on the ether, both shaping and reflecting the zeitgeist. What surrounds Pluto’s entry into Capricorn gives us some idea of the immediate challenges we will face, and the climate that will greet such a fundamental shift in consciousness.

Pluto enters Cap during the Dark of the Moon; will this make the change resound like a deep boom through the earth, for one long moment, no other sound heard, or will the Dark period mute the transition, like an explosion in space: no matter how violent the spectacle, there’s no atmosphere to transmit the sound to listening ears–so which will it be? During the Void the Moon will be in Scorpio, which Pluto rules, and that suggests to me that effects that typically find no impetus will instead vibrate through the Scorpio Moon and rebound on the ‘new’ Pluto energy, giving us all some version of an earth-shaking moment. Remember, though, that earthquakes come in many forms: a little shake, a deep, long, rumbling freight train, a vigorous thunderclap, an abrupt series of shakes, rattles, and rolls–and of course, if Pluto will be aspecting anything that sits at 00 of the Cardinals in your natal chart, you’re looking at a probably unprecedented effect, a once-in-a-lifetime transformation or experience of change.

Pluto moves into Capricorn just after the Superior Conjunction of Mercury and the Sun in Sagittarius at 3 Sag 55, and this adds another dimension, one that likely gives us a platform of accomplishment, or some sort of ending or wrap-up, from which to launch the ‘new’ Pluto energy. When Pluto hits 00 it trines Vesta in Taurus, which is retrograde, suggesting that immediately we may be challenged by the material face of what we find sacred, of the home, and/ or of the sex life.

One final thing that stands out: our judgment may not be the best at this point: with Venus quincunx Pallas=values, relationships, and assets must adjust to the wise course, and/ or what the skills can support or accomodate; Saturn quincunx Neptune=the material reality is challenged by inspiration, imagination, delusion, or deception; Jupiter semi-sextile Neptune=the possibility of exaggeration of those Neptune influences; Jupiter sesquiquadrate the Earth=the social sphere, educational or travel potentials, and/ or the ability to ‘get the word out’ must adjust to material circumstances; Ceres square the Earth=the will of authorities, or nature itself, conflicts with material reality; and Pallas square Uranus=the wise course, or individual abilities, conflict with one’s desired expression of uniqueness, or one’s ability to mesh with the group.

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Pluto into Capricorn

03 Monday Mar 2008

Posted by in Capricorn, Pluto

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Pluto in Sagittarius has fueled any number of adventures in destruction and transformation since it first touched base in 1995. With Pluto supplying a kind of background noise for faster moving events, we can note the way its time in Sagittarius was full of people, singly or collectively, trying to institute change in a way that’s almost missionary in its zealous insistence on a new course. The current Iraq War, and the assasination of Benazir Bhutto, are only two of the toppers on a cake that’s served a lot of different groups with a slice of someone else’s philosophy. ‘We’ll teach them,’ seems to be the global battle cry, along with the dark Plutonian insistence on breaking boundaries, dissolving resistance, imposing one’s own Will or ‘knowledge,’ whatever that may encompass. We’ve also seen a trend toward exploration that had the same persistent spirit; perhaps the mysterious disappearance of one of its most visible proponents, Steve Fossett, months ago in the Nevada desert is symptomatic not just of the kinds of excesses we see with Pluto in Sag, but of the idea of adventure that forces nature to accomodate our ambitions, that says, ‘No matter what limits you show me, I’ll go past them.’ Some mistake this for bravery, or vision; it’s really a case of those who must act out their Plutonian impulses in letters writ large, and they come in only two flavors: those who are so in tune with the Pluto in Sag ‘vibe’ that they literally play a part in acting it out in the world, and those who so fear looking into the personal darkness within that they will draw the world into their own frightened turmoil–these are the people who are dangerous on both a large and small scale, who will demonize the ‘other’ rather than acknowledge the beast within themselves–we can all think of people who fit the bill.

As Pluto moves into Capricorn, we may hear a collective sigh of relief from those with Pluto in Virgo natally, as it will feel to these natives that Pluto is back in Earth ‘where it belongs.’ For those with Pluto in Leo, there may be a feeling that ‘the fire’s going out,’ and fear of being left in the dark may be driving them just a little batty right now. The solution for these people is to understand that though the ‘climate’ is changing, they aren’t; it will help for them to focus on other Fire placements in the chart, and to at least temporarily train their energy like a laser on making these placements function optimally. Use these Fire energies as a positive and productive conduit for the energy that feels displaced by the Pluto change. For those who have planets, lights, or points currently being aspected by Pluto, the amount of tension involved is astounding, with high-pressure almost too relaxed a term to describe the effect! These are the people who must directly allow the transformation of elements of their world to occur, no matter how out of left field, or out of control, they seem to be right now. They need to know there’s no way to get a handle on this energy at this point, so we need to go with it, confident that the Universe knows what it’s doing.

So how can we expect things to be different with Pluto’s move into Capricorn in late January? Since Pluto can act as an atmospheric backdrop to quicker moving energies, we may see a shift from the open-ended, knowledge for knowledge’s sake, ‘we’ll teach them’ stance to a more buttoned-down philosophy overall. Expect the emphasis to shift to what we have, how to keep it, and how to make more of it. We may also see the idea of repression, restriction, and boundaries put forward as solutions to problems as varied as those concerning border and immigration issues to those of very personal arenas such as international adoption (currently all the rage with celebrities) and same sex marriage–this change to Capricorn won’t necessarily deny progress in any of these areas–it may in fact cause codification and create specific channels–but may delay interminably any solutions that feel both fair and reasonable. We may see the strengthening of large institutions and big business (I can’t imagine many who will see that as positive!) and we may see the flowering of a rather paternalistic attitude on the part of government and those in power on a large and small scale. ‘The Rules’ may become very important, but this isn’t entirely negative, as might be our initial impulse to the idea, as nature and the spirit have Universal rules that need to be discovered and honored on both an individual and Collective basis. Too, if your Plutonian impulse to transformation and destruction can be aligned with the Capricorn propensity to build, organize, and realize, sweeping and significant change can come about at all levels, and the creation of those long-envisioned life circumstances can become our reality.

By the time Pluto reaches Capricorn (January 25th at 7:25 PM PST), Jupiter will have already been there for approximately 6 weeks; this means that the two, who’ve been fellow travelers now for some time in Jupiter’s sign of Sagittarius, will not reach conjunction again (after their mid-December 2007 meeting) until March of 2020. This happens at 24 Capricorn, after Jupiter has made another full circuit of the zodiac. Whatever we were wrestling with, consumed by, and the changes and transformations that were front and center mid-December will play out on a large scale over the next 12-13 years. We may not at present see, recognize, or understand the import of the Jupiter/ Pluto conjunction in Sag’s meeting, but the themes are guaranteed to play out over the coming decade plus; approach these matters as if they’re ‘Big Picture’ and will deeply effect the life circumstances for some time to come, and you’ll deal with them in a way that will make the most of them, and will give them the gravity and psychic ‘weight’ with which they deserve to be handled.

Bonus info! Pluto returns to Sag in mid-June ’08 (after already being retrograde for 2 1/2 months), goes direct in early September and finally re-enters Cap for good in late November ’08. Expect the time from mid-June through to December 2008 to be filled with ‘ghosts of Pluto past,’ a re-hashing of things we’ll have long since thought buried. Look to what has come up October-January as a preview of the subjects that will be back for one more round in the months Pluto returns to Sag.